Press Release: Success of CINS Initiative Recognised with Corporate Social Responsibility Award

CINS was established in 2011 by five of the world's largest shipping lines with the primary aim of growing a system designed to capture incident data from the container supply chain. As a major insurance provider to container operators and handlers, TT Club was invited at the outset to act in an advisory capacity to the CINS Committee, alongside the International Group of P&I Clubs.

The CINS initiative was taken in response to the increasing volume of incidents that regularly disrupt operations and endanger lives, property or the environment, both at sea and on land. The founding members, CMA CGM, Evergreen Line, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk Line and MSC, have been joined by an equal number of other lines, and the group now represents about 60% of container slot capacity*. Managed by the Container Owners Association, it is expected that the CINS network will grow in coming months, as a number of other shipping lines have shown great interest in the initiative.

Peregrine Storrs-Fox, TT Club's Risk Management Director said:

The CINS incident database is used to provide an early warning of causes for concern that may be trending. In a year that has seen serious fires plague the maritime mode, it is sobering to note that the most frequent cargoes causing problems over the last two years relate to flammable, corrosive and environmentally hazardous products.

Investigations into the root causes of these incidents have revealed that most commonly issues pertaining to cargo packing - packaging, dunnaging and securing and declaration - are major contributors. Such findings strongly support the need to conclude the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing Cargo Transport Units and see that good practice is widely disseminated.

The CINS Committee has commented robustly on the issue. 'CINS findings to date show a strong case to seek broader industry involvement, to increase the awareness of areas of concern and trends in containerised shipping, and continue to improve safety in the supply chain'.

Storrs-Fox concludes, "Nobody engaged in the supply chain industry would deny that there are many continuing or emerging unsafe practices. For its part TT Club is committed to ongoing efforts to improve safety and mitigate risk as cargo volumes in global trade continue to rise. Loss prevention is a basic principal of the Club. As such we commend the vision of the CINS members as they seek to heighten awareness of these unsafe practices, working together to enhance safety, reduce cargo loss and minimise the risk to those employed at sea and ashore, as well as to assets and the environment".

*Source: Alphaliner

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